“Do you think Morgan told Chase about the fucked-up pictures we talked to him about?”
“I don’t think Morgan would have given Chase any details about that. Morgan is a professional, and he understands the delicate matter at hand. Even if you weren’t his nephew, he wouldn’t have divulged his client’s photographic fantasies to even his family.”
More panic set in the moment I saw an unfamiliar SUV parked in Andrew’s long driveway. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t a Toyota 4Runner. Maybe Uncle Hollis wasn’t financially savvy. Or maybe Chase wasn’t on good terms with Hollis. Or maybe he was humble and led a quiet life. There was nothing wrong with that.
James parked and shut the car off, but neither of us made a move to get out. I stared at the trees in the front yard and thought about how Andrew could put one of those tire swings up for the twins.
“That would be a good tree for a tire swing,” I said while staring at the tree. I glanced at Andrew’s front door, knowing that I was delaying going toward it. “Have you seen those? The swings, I mean.”
“Yes, I know what you’re talking about. He has a few trees that would work on,” James added. He reached for my hand, and I let him take hold of it without delay. He sandwiched my hand between his, and I instantly felt stronger.
“Did you ever have one of those tire swings?” I asked.
“I didn’t. Did you?”
“I did. It was in the backyard with all my play stuff. It wasn’t attached to a tree, though. It came attached to one of the plastic playhouses I had. It was a plastic tire, not a real one.”
“I imagine plastic tires are the way most parents go anymore. Besides, real tires would be quite dirty.” I turned to face James when he squeezed my hand. I took a deep breath. “Ready, pup?”
“I’m probably as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Then let’s go settle your nerves and his.”
I nodded, and we got out of the car and walked side by side to the door.
“Can we get pizza for dinner?” I asked.
“Of course, pup.”
I realized that James would probably say yes to just about anything I said I wanted right then. I had moments to pull on his chain.
“Can I tie you up to the bed tonight and spank your ass?”
“Now you’re pushing it, pup.”
I laughed, and he smiled as we reached the door. I stretched my arm out and rang the doorbell. I took a deep breath and then I thought I stopped breathing for a moment when the door opened. For whatever reason, relief washed over me to see Andrew in that moment. Though it would have been weird for Chase or Morgan to have opened the door.
“Hey, guys, come on in,” Andrew greeted in an upbeat tone. Thankfully he didn’t sound like he was inviting us inside for a funeral or something.
I stepped inside, and my mouth went dry. Fuck, I was in the same house now as my birth father. As we walked to the living room, Andrew and James started talking about the fucking weather and how it was supposed to storm later. My stomach dropped at the mention of the possible storm. I still hated storms.
“Is it going to storm? I didn’t bring a jacket with a hood,” I whispered and stopped walking.
“If it rains before you leave, I have umbrellas. But you’re more than welcome to stay until the rain passes,” Andrew said.
“And remember, we have your jacket in the back seat of the car. So if needed, I can run out to get it,” James said.
Okay, it’ll be fine. Don’t make this a big deal. Not today and not in front of them.
We walked into the living room, and Morgan and another man stood up from their seats on the couch. There he was.
“Morgan and Chase, you’ve already met James. And, Morgan, you and Brandon have met,” Andrew said. I glanced at Morgan and tried to smile. I wanted to smile, but my body and mind weren’t in sync.Uncle Morgan. James stepped forward and shook Morgan’s and Chase’s hands before he stepped back to stand beside me. I felt his hand on my back and was glad it was there because I thought I might fall over. “Brandon, this is Chase.”
Was I breathing?
Be strong! Don’t let him see you cry. Don’t let him think his kid is a fucking baby.
“Hi, Brandon.”
